When it comes down to what to choose to get your teeth straightened in London, there are many factors that decide the type of treatment you have. Metal braces are a tried and tested method of straightening teeth. Firstly, they move the teeth slowly so that the mouth can adjust to the changes being put upon it- this is important in teenage years as the teeth are still developing at the same time. Also, some of the more modern designs sit sympathetically in the mouth and look discreet; they are also the cheapest on the market. The downside to this treatment is they are fixed and can be very difficult to clean, making the mouth very vulnerable to bacterial infection for up to the two years they will have to be worn. They also come with an old fashioned stigma of how they look in the mouth too. The opposite side of the coin is Invisalign- no stigma here for they come in the form of a completely transparent gum-shield that is almost impossible to notice in the mouth. They are fast too, doing the job in around a third of the time that metal braces take and to add to the CV, they are removable which is great when it comes down to hygiene. The negatives- not everyone is suitable for the program as they only work in certain ways and they are far more expensive that metal braces. There is also another important factor in choice- your dentist. They will inevitably advise you on what will be the more beneficial treatment for your mouth in the long run.

The luxury of choice can sometimes be a burden too as decisions can be hard to reach. This is as much the case with modern dentistry today as many other things. In the past there was probably only one method of dealing with whatever dental ailment you were faced with. Now different companies offer different ways of rectifying the same problem and loudly proclaim the advantages of their product over the others.

This is particularly true in the case of devices and treatments to straighten out your teeth. For many years the traditional metal brace was the only option for patients. In response to this, dental researchers began to develop different ways of straightening teeth which avoided some of the perceived pitfalls of the brace.

One of these alternatives to the brace is a product called Invisalign. Instead of using metal brackets and wires to pull teeth into place over time, Invisalign is a series of clear plastic braces that the patient wears which gently move the teeth into the desired positions. It is easy to see the rationale behind the development of Invisalign: the urge to put an end to the need to wear unsightly metal braces for several years.

Invisalign is far more discreet than its traditional counterpart and is effective at minor alignment issues and their rectification, but the fact remains that traditional metal braces are the only way of rotating teeth that exists currently. The best thing is to speak to your London dentist about the extent of your crooked teeth issues and then you will be able to determine if wearing a traditional brace is necessary. Invisalign might be suitable for teenagers who have small alignment issues and suffer from a lack of confidence that might only get worse if they wear a metal brace.

For those with crooked or misaligned teeth there are a number of options concerning how to fix the problem. With advances in technology dentists are able to offer dentists and array of different treatments with the result being a set of aligned teeth and a good, straight bite. But which one to choose when they all have pros and cons? One new product which is making waves on the market place is called Invisalign and patients, with the help of their London dentist, will need to make the choice about whether they opt for it or the traditional metal brace.

The advantages that Invisalign has over the metal brace are obvious. Invisalign is made of a clear material which is far more discreet than all the metal brackets and wires in traditional, fixed braces. This might well be preferable for teenagers who are already self conscious enough. Invisalign is also removable, as long as it is worn for twenty two hours of each day. Invisalign has a shorter treatment times too and metal braces sometimes need to be worn for as long as three years.

But the fact is that there is still no treatment which can compete with the traditional metal brace when it comes to the sheer range of alignment issues that it can deal with. Invisalign is not able to rotate teeth in the way that metal braces can. It might be the case that a patient’s alignment problems are so fundamental that Invisalign will not be able to iron them out, in which case the choice has already been effectively made. Also, not all dentists are registered with Invisalign.

The choice is yours and your dentist will be able to help you make the decision that is right for you and your mouth.

The words ‘metal braces’ conjures up horrible visions of a mouth full of metal tubing with rotting food stuck to it. It’s true that fixed metal braces can look ugly in the mouth and can be a nightmare to clean. But braces and aligners have changed dramatically over the past 10 years and the best example to back this statement is the Invisalign treatment, and there are many reasons you should choose this teeth straightening method over metal braces. Firstly, wearing braces is a chore and look ugly and embarrassing in the mouth- with Invisalign there’s none of this. It’s a completely transparent gum shield that’s barely visible in the mouth at all. Secondly, traditional braces are hard to clean and house damaging bacteria that can lead to other problems in the mouth; Invisalign can be removed for eating and for brushing and flossing and most important of all, kissing! But the third advantage of Invisalign is treatment times. It works on the teeth very quickly in a third of the time that metal braces take to work. Ok, Invisalign is a lot more expensive, starting at around £1800. But if you are a teenager, all the afore mentioned advantages are very important and can mean the difference between growing up in those all important, formulative and influential years, with or without the fear of hurtful, schoolyard ridicule.

For patients who want straight teeth but find the idea of metal braces too much to commit to, invisible braces can provide the sacrifice-free straightening they have been looking for. Invisalign braces were introduced in 1999 by Align technologies and represented the first really effective clear plastic brace.

The Invisalign braces are designed to fit comfortably over the individual’s teeth and to apply gentle forces to gradually reposition the teeth into the desired position. Invisalign braces are fast becoming the leading brand of orthodontic straightening device because of the level of discretion they offer and the increased comfort against metal braces.

The retainers are made from one millimetre clear plastic manufactured using the help of computer-guided technology. A series of over twenty retainers are used in all, each being worn for a period of roughly two weeks, making small adjustments of 0.25 millimetres to 0.33 millimetres to the position of the teeth. The aligners are completely removable which is ideal for effective teeth cleaning and meal times but they should be worn for at least 20 hours a day in order to reposition the teeth successfully.

The Invisalign treatment has several clear advantages over more conventional orthodontic methods but it must be pointed out that it is not suitable for all patients. For some cases of severe overcrowding and overly rotated teeth, patients may require some initial treatment before the Invisalign treatment is suitable. London dentists will be able to assess your teeth to determine if the Invisalign treatment could work for you. A successful assessment means you can begin to straighten your teeth without the discomfort of metal wires and with complete discretion.

Teeth straightening technology has advanced in huge strides over the last twenty years. A few decades ago, patients would have been limited to one sort of metal brace, more than likely of the iconic ‘train-track’ variety, to straighten their teeth. These uncomfortable and let’s face it, ugly, metal brackets were effective but came with the obvious drawbacks. It was also true that in most cases braces were fitted to patients during the teenage years which is probably the last time you would want to stand out from the crowd.

Thankfully, since then the improvements in technology have meant that there has been an explosion in the amount of choices available to patients. Whatever your lifestyle there will be a brace that will best suit you. One of the newest braces to hit the market is the Six-Month Smile treatment. By correcting only teeth that are visible when smiling the focussed approach of Six-Month Smile can straighten teeth in, that’s right, only six-months. This is a reduction in treatment time of up to 70 per cent on other more conventional treatments.

Six-Month Smile works by using special nickel-titanium alloy wires to reposition teeth, focusing on the teeth that show at the front. The wires are tooth coloured, which means they are very discreet and only visible when up close to the patient. Six-Month Smile treatments are also especially designed to reduce discomfort, which as any brace wearer can tell you, is a major factor when they are initially fitted and tightened.

Six-Month Smile braces are mostly suitable for patients with minor overcrowding issues. Any serious overcrowding or alignment problems may need to be corrected with other braces before the Six-Month Smile brace can be used to add the finishing aesthetic touches. They are perfect for patients wishing to create a perfect smile in a discreet and comfortable way. Ask a London dentist about the Six-Month Smile braces and you could have the straight teeth you have always wanted.

For most patients who are told they need braces the major factor is not the discomfort or their unseemly appearance, it is the length of treatment. With some conventional braces treatment times can run from months into years. Fortunately, the advances in dental technology have brought with them new and improved methods of teeth straightening.

One of the latest and most appealing braces on the market is the Inman aligner. As an alternative to metal braces it clearly has the edge in terms of discretion and reduced treatment times.

By using the power of a coiled spring hidden on the tongue side of the teeth, the Inman aligner pushes the lateral teeth out creating room for the overcrowded front teeth. These are simultaneously pushed forward and aligned with a retainer that runs along the front of the teeth. This metal retainer bar is the only aspect of the brace that is visible to other people.

The Inman aligner begins to show results in an incredible six to sixteen weeks. Whole treatments rarely last longer than six months in total, which is a reduction in treatment time on average of 75 per cent against other metal braces and plastic retainers.

When initially fitted the Inman aligner may cause some mild discomfort as the teeth get accustomed to the new appliance. This is rarely ever more than a mild discomfort and usually passes within the first week. Other than this initial discomfort, the Inman treatment is relatively painless.

The Inman aligner is the perfect treatment for patients seeking to resolve minor overcrowding issues. For patients with more serious straightening needs a dentist may need to carry out some prior work to make the aligner effective. Inman is particularly suited to more mature patients because of its discreet nature and speed of treatment. It also has the added bonus of being completely removable for important business and social occasions. If you are suffering from overcrowding issues but can’t face lengthy treatment with traditional braces, ask a City of London dentist about the benefits of the Inman aligner.

Orthodontic treatment is most effective when patients are in their teenage years. This is the time when, usually, all of the baby teeth will have been replaced with permanent teeth yet the teeth and jaw are still developing. The teenage years also happen to be the most important years of emotional development. For many teenagers, wearing a metal brace can make them stand out from the crowd at precisely the wrong time. For those patients who wear a brace later in life, the stigma of braces being for younger people can be very embarrassing. However, there is an alternative for patients who still want to have straight teeth but don’t want to wear unseemly metal braces.

Introduced by Align technologies in 1999, Invisalign braces are clear plastic retainers that fit over the patients teeth and move them into the desired position. Almost completely invisible unless standing very close to the patient, Invisalign braces also have the advantage of being completely removable, so can be taken out for important business or social occasions.

Clear plastic braces had existed before but had been far less effective than Invisalign retainers and many patients still opted for the fixed metal braces. Made form one millimetre thick clear plastic, Invisalign retainers utilise the latest in three-dimensional computer technology to achieve incredible degrees of accuracy. A series of about twenty retainers will be used throughout the treatment, each with a small adjustment and worn for about two to three weeks. The average treatment time is 18 months but because of the complete level of discretion and comfort, many patients do not find the length of treatment to be an issue.

As the cost of Invisalign retainers becomes more and more affordable with the advances in technology they are increasingly becoming the brace of choice for patients and dentist alike. If you have always wanted straight teeth but could never face the prospect of a mouth full of metal, or if you simply don’t want to have your braces noticed, ask a Central London dentist about Invisalign braces.

For patients who require their teeth straightened there are now far more options than there ever were previously. Twenty years ago it would have been ugly and uncomfortable metal braces or nothing at all. Metal braces worked, but having to have a mouthful of metal brackets and wires for months on end was often too much for some patients. It was also unfortunate that braces are for the most part fitted when patients are in their difficult and emotionally sensitive teenage years.

Thankfully, advances in technology means that there are now several alternatives to metal braces. Whether it is discretion or speed that you desire there will now be a brace to fit around your lifestyle and not the other way round.

One of the latest straightening methods on the market is the Six-Month smile treatment. By focussing solely on the teeth that can be seen when smiling, Six-Month smile braces are able to achieve incredibly fast results. They aim to completely straighten teeth in, that’s right, just six-months. This is a reduction of up to 75 per cent on other forms of straightening.

By using special nickel-titanium wires, overcrowding issues can be solved by repositioning teeth at the front into more natural places. The wire is usually tooth coloured meaning that the Six-Month smile brace is also very discreet. They are also said to cause far less discomfort to patients than most other orthodontic appliances. If you are suffering from overcrowding or feel that your teeth could do with that final bit of straightening to give you perfectly straight teeth, ask a Central London dentist about the Six-Month smile treatment and bring a beautiful smile back to your face.

Having the perfect smile is something we all dream about, but only the lucky few are blessed with a naturally dazzling beam. Over the last twenty years it has become more and more common to try and artificially correct teeth using braces or retainers. In the past these have often been unseemly and unattractive metal braces that stand out a mile off and make the wearer feel self-concious. Furthermore, because of the advantages of using braces during developing years they are often used in the already difficult and turbulent teenage years.

However, recent advances in technology have led to the introduction of invisible or clear braces which are almost imperceptible to the naked eye unless you get right up close.

Apart from having the obvious cosmetic benefits, there are other advantages to wearing invisible braces. Unlike the old metal braces, they don’t protrude too much into the mouth meaning that irritation is greatly reduced. They also have yielded far superior results in terms of developing better bite and jaw alignment.

Invisible braces are also often completely removable and only have to be in place a certain amount of time a day. This means that patients are not so restricted in the food and drinks they can have and also hat hygiene standards are greatly improved because the braces can be removed and cleaned which is significantly easier.

Invisible braces are fitted using the very latest in 3D technology, creating a perfect mold of your teeth. Whilst they are not suitable for everyone they work in the majority of cases. Thousands of adults who would have rather had crooked teeth than return to the metal braces of old are now enjoying the smiles they always dreamed of thanks to invisible braces. A City of London dentist will be able to show you how invisible braces can work for you.